Race Report: Sports-am Stairway to Log Haven 6K

Waking up early on a Sunday is not normally my thing, but if there's an awesome race to run...I'll wake up at almost any hour. (Though the 3:00 a.m. wakeup call for Disney races is a bit much.)  And last weekend's Sports-am's Stairway to Log Haven 6K was worthy of the early alarm, it just might be my favorite shorter distance event of the year.

I found out about this race while compiling a recent Outdoor Sports Guide event calendar and loved the concept. It's a 6K run up Millcreek Canyon that finishes at Log Haven where runners enjoy a delicious breakfast with the whole restaurant reserved for them. This sounded superior to the typical banana and Gatorade post-race goodies, so we were in. Plus, the race benefits The Road Home, a charity i'm a big fan of, so that was another solid selling point.

My friend Allan and I arrived at Einsten Bagels at the Olympus Hills Shopping Center about a half hour before start time and readied ourselves to run. Temperatures were crisp to say the least, and we busted out our winter wear like hats and running gloves to keep warm.

When they announced the start I took off fast and was surprised to find myself leading the ladies for the first half mile. Fast is not an adjective I'd generally use to describe my running abilities, but I felt strong as we headed up Millcreek Canyon after turning off Wasatch Boulevard.

If you've run up Millcreek Canyon before, you know the first mile is a doozy. It took me about a mile to feel warmed up, and during this time a few ladies passed me, but I just couldn't keep up. The steep grade made it feel more like slogging through sand than running. Though most people would not purposely pick an entirely uphill 6K on race day, I loved this challenging course.

Live music with breakfast

Ahead of me, Allan hit the 3.1-mile mark and stood briefly dumbfounded, wondering where the finish line was. (I forgot to mention it was a 6K...not a 5K.) He politely waited for the guy in second place to catch up and asked him where the finish was. Second place guy said, "Umm...it's a 6K. It says it on your shirt." "Oh...ok then. Thanks!" Allan said. He then kept running up the hill to finish in third place overall with a time of 38 minutes 39 seconds.

Mmmm......breakfast buffet. 

Allan came back to find me for the last half-mile and pushed me to finish faster, but I was spent and felt at my max pace already as we sprinted toward the finish line. Two women were just ahead of me, and I found out at the awards ceremony that had I sprinted just a little faster I could have finished ahead of both to place first in my age group. Still, I received 3rd in my age group (20-29) and because of the course difficulty I consider it my most proud racing victory to date.

Due to the freezing temperatures we hovered by the finish line just long enough to take some obligatory finish photos, then walked across the canyon road where hot coffee, juice, and a catered breakfast awaited us at Log Haven. I have never been to Log Haven before and the patio and interior were beautiful. Taking myself on a running date here was a good decision.

You could choose to eat outside on the heated patio and enjoy the live music, but since I am a baby about the cold when wearing just running clothing, we opted for inside seats near the buffet line.

Love this medal! 

We filled our plates with yogurt and granola, eggs, pastries, and sausage before joining some other runners at a table. It was fun to hang out after a race and meet more runners in the community. Love finding people with similar passions!



The awards ceremony followed and age-group placers received beautiful glass medals with the race name, logo, and place on it. Can't wait to hang that on my medal rack! First place overall and in men's went to Bob Thompson and Paula Cook placed first in women's. Each received a $100 gift card to Log Haven with their award.

Following the awards ceremony, and another buffet visit, we were shuttled carried back down Millcreek Canyon to our cars. As much as I enjoy a downhill canyon run, I was feeling done after the 4 miles up.

Overall, this race rocks. Great course, great group of runners, fantastic organization, and just plain fun. I am so signing up for next year's event!

Don't delay when you see registration open next year. The cap is 100 racers, so it sells out quick!